Genetic polymorphism of white mistletoe (Viscum album L.) in Ukraine

Aim. The aim of the study was to establish genetic differences between V. album growing in different parts of Ukraine. Methods. White mistletoe samples collected in different regions of Ukraine were used in the study. The method of estimating the intron length polymorphism of β-tubulin genes was used. Amplified DNA fragments were fractionated by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by silver nitrate staining. Results. The genotypes of 91 white mistletoe plants were analyzed. DNA profiles of white mistletoe with a specific amplicons of β-tubulin gene introns were obtained, which allowed to differentiate the samples from each other. Fingerprinting data were used for cluster analysis and dendrogram construction. Conclusions. It was found that the analyzed mistletoe samples did not differ by geographical factor and were characterized by a low level of genetic diversity in the studied samples. Keywords: Viscum album L., intron length polymorphism, β-tubulin, genetic variability, Ukraine.